Supporting spring system for mattresses or the like and use of a supporting spring system of this type

ABSTRACT

Supporting spring systems for mattresses or the like usually have slats which are mounted at their opposite ends on a frame by means of elastic bearing means. It is known to individually adapt the bearing means with regard to their spring properties to the individual lying thereon. However, this alone is not adequate for sick people. The supporting spring system according to the invention is designed in such a manner that at least individual slats can be individually raised and lowered in the regions of their bearing means. This enables the supporting spring system to execute any desired movements which are transferred via the mattress to the individual lying on it. These movements of the mattress enable, in particular, prevention or treatment of bed sores. In addition, these movements are also suitable for stimulating patients with certain clinical characteristics, in particular patients whose mobility is limited and thus suffer from lack of stimulus. The supporting spring system according to the invention may also be used in the treatment of pain.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is the US Chapter II National Phase of PatentCooperation Treaty International Application No. PCT/EP02/10715, havingan International Filing Date of 25 Sep. 2002, which designates the US,and which in turn claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10148 569.7, having a filing date of 1 Oct. 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a supporting spring system formattresses or the like having slats which support the mattress or thelike, and having bearing means which are assigned to opposite ends ofthe slats and are intended for elastically mounting the slats on aframe. The invention also relates to preferred uses of supporting springsystems of this type.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Supporting spring systems which are intended for mattresses orthe like of furniture for sleeping on, lying on and/or sitting on andhave resilient slats which are mounted elastically on a frame or otherfixed objects by means of elastic bearing means are known. These slatsrun parallel to one another at fixed, usually equal distances apart. Itis possible, by changing the elasticity of the bearing means, to adaptthe spring properties of the supporting spring system to the needs of anindividual lying on the mattress or the like.

[0006] Individuals whose perceptive facility is limited or impaired, forexample unconscious individuals, individuals whose mobility is severelylimited, but also individuals at risk of bed sores and/or individualssuffering from chronic pain are exposed to various problems due to beingconfined to bed for a long period of time. These problems include, inparticular, lack of stimulus, bed sores and pain caused by being in alying position. Although known supporting spring systems for mattressesor the like can be adapted in their elasticity behaviour to the needs ofthe particular individual, they cannot or cannot in any casesufficiently solve the problems mentioned above in this way.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Starting from the above, the object of the invention is toprovide supporting spring systems for mattresses, in particular, whichmake it possible to individually stimulate the individual lying on themattress, and serve, in particular, for preventing and treating bedsores, for assisting in the treatment of pain and/or for preventing alack of stimulus.

[0008] A supporting spring system for achieving this object has thefeatures of a supporting spring system for mattresses or the like,having slats which support the mattress or the like, and having bearingmeans which are assigned to opposite ends of the slats and are intendedfor elastically mounting the slats on a frame, characterized in that atleast some of the slats can be moved up and down in a specificallycontrolled manner. Owing to the fact that at least some slats can bemoved up and down in a specifically controlled manner, the supportingspring system according to the invention exerts movements on theunderside of the mattress or the like, which are transferred to theindividual lying on the mattress. On account of at least some slatsbeing moved up and down in a specifically controlled manner, these slatscan be individually raised, lowered and/or tilted. This enables theparticular individual, in particular the patient, to be movedindividually, specifically in accordance with his needs or requirements.The movements can be exactly proportioned and, if required, kept withinnarrow limits, which is important for assisting in the treatment ofpain.

[0009] The slats can preferably be moved up and down at their oppositeends. This movement can be controlled in such a manner that the ends ofthe particular slat are moved up and down to the same extent(synchronously), so that the slat does not change its inclination.However, if required the ends of at least some slats may also be raisedto different extents or one end is raised and the other end is lowered,so that the inclination of the slat concerned changes.

[0010] Corresponding, individual control of a plurality of slats, aplurality of groups of slats or even all of the slats enables anydesired movements to be brought about, specifically undulatorymovements, movements on an inclined plane or even a rotation. To thisend, at least some slats can be moved up and down by means of liftingelements which are assigned to their opposite ends and are preferablydesigned in the manner of air springs.

[0011] According to one preferred refinement of the invention, thelifting elements are arranged in the regions of the bearing means of theslats, and are preferably assigned to the bearing means. This enablesthe lifting elements to be accommodated in a space-saving manner at theends of the slats and, if necessary, to be integrated in the bearingmeans. It is also possible for the lifting elements in the regions ofthe bearing means or even in the bearing means to be used to support oroverride the spring properties of the bearing means.

[0012] The lifting elements are preferably designed as bellows-likehollow bodies. These can be moved up and down as desired, in particularin a specifically proportioned manner, with a fluid, it being possiblefor this to be a liquid or a gas. The hollow bodies are preferably movedup and down with a gas, in the simplest case air, the compressibility ofthe gas resulting in gentle, jerk-free movements of the individuals.

[0013] A further supporting spring system for achieving the objectmentioned at the beginning has the features of a supporting springsystem for mattresses or the like, having slats which support themattress or the like, and having bearing means which are assigned toopposite ends of the slats and are intended for elastically mounting theslats on a frame, characterized in that the bearing means have hollowbodies or the hollow bodies are assigned to the bearing means, thehollow bodies being connected to fluid lines for individually feedingthe hollow bodies with a fluid and/or for individually conducting thefluid out of the hollow bodies. Owing to the fact that at least some ofthe hollow bodies or those hollow bodies which are assigned to the slatsare connected to fluid lines which can be fed individually with a fluid,each hollow body can, if necessary, be individually and specificallysupplied with a fluid and therefore pressurized, and also the pressurein the particular hollow body can be individually reduced. This enablesany desired movements of the slats. In particular, the slats or the endsof the slats can obtain sensitive lifting movements, as a result ofwhich the individual lying on the particular mattress can be stimulatedin a specific manner. The movements can be controlled in a manneradapted to the clinical characteristics of the particular individual.

[0014] The supporting spring system according to the invention ispreferably designed in such a manner that the bearing means have springelements for elastically mounting the ends of the slats, preferably allof the slats, and in addition the hollow bodies which are assigned to atleast some slats change the elasticity of the mounting of these slats.Changes of the pressure in the hollow bodies enable the springproperties of the bearing means concerned to be changed in aspecifically controlled manner. In addition, those ends of the slats towhich hollow bodies are assigned can be moved individually, namely canexecute lifting movements directed upward and downward. The hollowbodies are preferably designed in such a manner and assigned to the endsof the slats in such a manner that the lifting movement take placeperpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the slats andtherefore perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the mattress orthe like. However, in the process the inclination of the mattress canalso be changed by the lifting elements at opposite ends of at least oneslat being involved to different extents in executing correspondinglycontrolled lifting movements. Moreover, in addition, specificallycontrolled lifting movements of the individual hollow bodies makepossible changes in the surface of the mattress, specifically alsodynamic changes in the surface by the latter following, for example, acontinuous undulation and/or rotational movement. To this end,individual hollow bodies, in particular groups of hollow bodies, towhich one or more slats are assigned, can be acted upon by differentpressures.

[0015] To individually change the pressures in the hollow bodies, eachhollow body can preferably be fed with a fluid by a dedicated fluidline. The particular fluid line can be supplied with the desiredpressure, and also vented, individually via a corresponding fluid supplydevice and/or a valve unit. The pressure in each desired hollow body canbe controlled as required by a control device. The control device can becontrolled both manually and also in accordance with predeterminedprograms. The programs of the control device can be selected with regardto the particular type of stimulation depending on the needs of theperson resting in each case on the mattress or the like. In addition,the control device permits certain stimulation patterns, in which theupper side of the mattress is transferred into an undulatory movement,rotational movement, an inclined position or vibrating movements.

[0016] The supporting spring systems described above are suitable inparticular for treating and preventing bed sores, for promotingperception, for preventing lack of stimulus and/or for assisting in thetreatment of pain. The supporting spring systems according to theinvention cause a person lying on a mattress, in particular of a bed, tobe stimulated. Various basal stimulations are possible here,specifically, for example, somatic, vestibular, vibratory, oral,auditory, tactile and haptic and/or visual stimulations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the supporting spring systemaccording to the invention is explained in greater detail below withreference to the drawing, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a supporting spring system of whichpart is illustrated in simplified form.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows a side view of a bearing means together with amounting of a lateral end of a slat.

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a lifting element in the regionof one end of a spring slat together with part of a controlling means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The supporting spring system shown here serves as a support forat least one mattress or other base of a bed, or a piece of furniturefor lying on or sitting on.

[0022] The supporting spring system has a plurality of elongate slats10. The slats 10, which are preferably of identical design and inparticular of equal length, are spaced apart parallel to one another inthe direction transverse to the longitudinal direction 11 of thesupporting spring system. The slats 10 are preferably at an equaldistance from one another, but may also vary in distance from oneanother in some regions. The supporting spring system shown here alsohas two bar elements 12 which (in the present case) are of identicaldesign and run in the longitudinal direction 11 of the supporting springsystem, specifically parallel to each other. Elastic bar elements 12 ofthis type are known, for example, from DE 199 45 724 A1, to whichreference is made in full in this respect. The bar elements 12, whichare of identical design, are assigned to opposite longitudinal edges ofthe supporting spring system and bound them. The bar elements 12 aresupported on longitudinal struts (not shown) of a bed or of a frame. Theslats 10 are connected in opposite end regions to the bar elements 12.The bar elements 12 form elastic bearing means for the ends of the slats10. The bar elements 12 serve at the same time to hold and to guide theslats 10 at their opposite ends, so that the slats 10 essentially retaintheir relative arrangement with respect to one another.

[0023] The invention is not restricted to the mounting shown here of theslats 10 on elastic bar elements 12. On the contrary, it is alsoconceivable to assign any other desired bearing means to the ends of theslats 10 and, as a result, to mount the slats 10 in an elasticallymoveable manner on longitudinal struts of a frame, a bed or the like.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least some slats 10 areassigned a plurality of supporting plates 13. One slat 10 may have aplurality of supporting plates 13 which are preferably at uniformdistances apart. The supporting plates 13 of adjacent slats 10 areoffset in relation to one another in such a manner that the supportingplates 13 of adjacent slats 10 are staggered with respect to one another(FIG. 1).

[0025] According to the invention, the supporting spring system haslifting elements 14 which are designed and operate in the manner of airsprings. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each end of each slat 10 isassigned a lifting element 14. As a result, each slat 10 has two liftingelements 14. The lifting elements 14 are all of essentially identicaldesign. It is conceivable for only certain slats 10 to be assignedlifting elements 14 at opposite ends. The remaining slats 10 are thenmounted on the bar elements 12 in a manner known from DE 199 45 724 A1.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention that is shown here,the lifting elements 14 are arranged in regions of the bar elements 12.The lifting elements 14 are situated between adjacent supporting legs15, 16 of the bar elements 12, namely in longitudinal grooves 17 betweenthe two supporting legs 15 and 16 of the particular bar element 12,which supporting legs run parallel at a distance from each other. Forreasons of simplicity, FIG. 1 shows only two lifting elements 14 whichare assigned to the opposite ends of a slat 10. However, identicallifting elements 14 are also assigned to the remaining slats 10.

[0027] One of the lifting elements 14 of identical design is shown inFIG. 3. The upper side of this lifting element 14 has a clip head 18which has a rigid, planar head plate 19 on the lower side. The clip head18 is provided with an upper side of an elastic bellows 20 via the headplate 19. The bellows 20 forms in its interior a cavity 21 which can beacted upon by a fluid, air in the exemplary embodiment shown. On thelower side, the bellows 20 is connected to a base plate 22 with whichthe lifting element 14 is supported on the bottom of the longitudinalgroove 17 of the particular bar element 12 and therefore on or againstthe longitudinal strut, to which the bar element 12 concerned isassigned. The base plate 22 has an air connection (not shown in FIG. 3)which is connected to an air line which, in the exemplary embodimentshown, is arranged in the interior of a connecting component 23. A freeend of the connecting component 23 that protrudes out of the base plate22 is assigned a valve unit 25 accommodated in a housing 24. The valveunit 25 has a valve (not shown) which can be controlled electrically.The electric control lines (not shown in FIG. 3) can be connectedreleasably to the valve of the valve unit 25 via a connector 26. Thevalve unit 25 is also connected to an air line (likewise not shown). Itis conceivable to assign two air lines to the valve unit 25,specifically a compressed air line and an outgoing air line.

[0028] The electric control lines of the valve units 25 of all of thelifting elements 14 are connected to a common, central controlling means(not illustrated in the figures). Furthermore, at least thecompressed-air lines of the valve units 25 of all of the liftingelements 14 are connected to a common air supply device, preferably apump. In the simplest case, the pump maintains a certain predeterminedair pressure in each compressed-air supply line. However, it is alsoconceivable to control the pump from the central control device and as aresult in particular to predetermine the pressure of the pump inaccordance with the requirements or else to change it.

[0029] The controlling means, which is preferably a programmedcontrolling means, enables each valve unit 25 to be controlledindividually. This makes it possible for each individual lifting element14 to be individually supplied with compressed air, as a result of whichthe particular bellows 20 expands upward and therefore raises the cliphead 18 of the lifting element 14. Connecting the end of a slat 10 tothe particular clip head 18 of the lifting element 14 concerned enablesthe lifting movement of the bellows 20 to be transferred to the relevantend of a slat 10 which is therefore raised at the end perpendicularlywith respect to its longitudinal direction. In order to lower therelevant end of the slat 10, the cavity 21 in the bellows 20 iscompletely or at least partially vented by the valve unit 25, as aresult of which the bellows collapses to the desired extent and the cliphead 18 together with the end of the slat 10 that is fastened to it isthereby lowered.

[0030] Different lifting movements of the mattress, or preferably ofpart of the same, are possible by means of appropriate programs of thecontrol unit. In the simplest case, all of the lifting elements 14 areraised and lowered simultaneously (synchronously), as a result of whichthe entire mattress is moved up and down vertically and the shape of thesurface of the mattresses does not change substantially. It is alsoconceivable, by means of an appropriate controlling means, for only allof the lifting elements 14 on one side of the mattress, i.e. all of thelifting elements 14 assigned to a lateral beam element 12, to be raisedor lowered simultaneously while the lifting elements 14 situated on theother side remain unactuated. This results in a sloping position of themattress or in a tilting of the mattress about the longitudinaldirection 11. It is also conceivable to move all of the lifting elements14 on the one side and at the same time to lower all of the liftingelements 14 on the other side. As a result, the mattress can be tiltedabout a maximum angle.

[0031] Another movement program makes provision to simultaneously raiseand lower the slats 10 gradually on both sides in the longitudinaldirection 11. For this purpose, the lifting elements 14 assigned to thetwo opposite sides of a slat 10 are in each case actuatedsimultaneously. Consecutive raising and/or lowering of the slats 10 inthe longitudinal direction 11 of the supporting spring system enables acontinuous undulatory movement to be produced on the mattress surface. Afurther possibility of moving the mattress involves first of all on oneside, i.e. along a beam element 12, raising and again lowering thelifting elements individually one after another in the longitudinaldirection 11. After the lifting movement along a bar element 12 on oneside has taken place, it is continued by the opposite bar element,specifically counter to the longitudinal direction 11. This enables theindividual lying on the mattress to experience a type of rotationalmovement. The above-described types of movement of the mattress and ofthe individual lying on it can be expanded as desired and so theinvention is not restricted to the movement possibilities describedabove. In particular, any desired combinations of the movements ofindividual lifting elements 14 are conceivable.

[0032] It is also possible, as required, to switch off the automaticcontrolling means at least temporarily and to control the liftingelements 14 manually. This is preferably undertaken by an individual whois lying on the mattress and who can therefore control and influence themovements in a manner perceived to be the most pleasant. This applies inparticular in the case of the supporting spring system according to theinvention being used for the treatment of pain. The controlling meanscan also be used to individually control the lifting distances and/orthe raising and lowering speed of the lifting elements 14. It is alsoconceivable to arrange the lifting elements 14 or air springs having anidentical effect as supporting and stimulating elements on the surfaceof the bed or even to assign them to the bed cover. It is furthermorepossible to design the freely programmable controlling means of thelifting elements 14 in such a manner that they permit feedback. To thisend, physiological data of the individual lying on the mattress, inparticular his movements, are measured and the measured values are usedby the controlling means to control the movements of the liftingelements 14 in a specific manner. The measurement for example of themovement of an individual lying on the mattress can take place by adetermination of the internal pressure in the bellows 20 or in the airfeed line to the bellows 20. The controlling means makes it possible, bymeans of an appropriate selection of the program, for the liftingelements 14 to move the mattress both periodically and also regularly,in particular quasi-periodically. It is also possible, in addition tothe abovementioned feedback values, for other signals to enter thecontrolling means, for example acoustic signals, specifically, inparticular, music signals. Visual signals, for example color signals,can also be processed by the controlling means as required.

[0033] The supporting spring system according to the invention, inparticular the means of controlling the movements of the bed, furniturefor lying on or sitting on that are brought about by the supportingspring system serve for stimulation purposes, in particular basalstimulating care of unconscious individuals, individuals on respirators,disorientated individuals, somnolent individuals, individuals with skulland brain trauma, patients with hypoxic brain damage, individuals withAlzheimer's, patients whose mobility is restricted, disabled individualsand/or premature babies. The stimulation may be somatic stimulation,vestibular stimulation, vibratory stimulation, oral stimulation,auditory stimulation, tactile and haptic stimulation, visual stimulationand combinations of the abovementioned types of stimulation. The effectof the stimulation is, in particular, the elimination of a lack ofstimulus. The stimulation brought about by specific movement inparticular of the mattress serves, in particular, for preventing and/ortreating bed sores. In addition, the stimulations also serves to assistin the treatment of pain and/or to promote perception.

[0034] List of Reference Numbers

[0035]10 Slat

[0036]11 Longitudinal direction

[0037]12 Beam element

[0038]13 Supporting plate

[0039]14 Lifting element

[0040]15 Supporting leg

[0041]16 Supporting leg

[0042]17 Longitudinal groove

[0043]18 Clip head

[0044]19 Head plate

[0045]20 Bellows

[0046]21 Cavity

[0047]22 Base plate

[0048]23 Connecting component

[0049]24 Housing

[0050]25 Valve unit

What is claimed is:
 1. A supporting spring system for mattresses or thelike, having slats which support the mattress or the like, and havingbearing means which are assigned to opposite ends of the slats and areintended for elastically mounting the slats on a frame, characterized inthat at least some of the slats (10) can be moved up and down in aspecifically controlled manner.
 2. The supporting spring system asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the slats (10) can be moved upand down at their opposite ends by means of lifting elements (14)assigned to their ends.
 3. The supporting spring system as claimed inclaim 2, characterized in that the lifting elements (14) are designed inthe manner of air springs and are assigned in the regions of the bearingmeans or to the bearing means.
 4. The supporting spring system asclaimed in claim 1, for mattresses or the like, having slats whichsupport the mattress or the like, and having bearing means which areassigned to opposite ends of the slats and are intended for elasticallymounting the slats on a frame, characterized in that the bearing meanshave hollow bodies or the hollow bodies are assigned to the bearingmeans, the hollow bodies being connected to fluid lines for individuallyfeeding the hollow bodies with a fluid and/or for individuallyconducting the fluid out of the hollow bodies.
 5. The supporting springsystem as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the bearing meanshave spring elements for elastically mounting the ends of the slats(10), and the hollow bodies are designed for changing the elasticity ofthe mounting of the slats (10) and/or for moving the slats (10).
 6. Thesupporting spring system as claimed in claim 5, characterized in thatthe spring elements of the bearing means are designed in such a mannerthat they impart a maximum elasticity to the bearing means when thehollow bodies are unpressurized.
 7. The supporting spring system asclaimed in claim 4, characterized in that the internal pressure in thehollow bodies can be controlled via valves actuated by a centralcontrolling means.
 8. The supporting spring system as claimed in claim7, characterized in that the valves of all of the hollow bodies can befed from a central fluid pressure source with a fluid of the samepressure.
 9. The supporting spring system as claimed in claim 4,characterized in that the hollow bodies which are assigned to one slat(10) or to a plurality of slats (10) can be acted upon by differentpressures, wherein the pressures of each individual hollow body can bechanged individually via at least one fluid line.
 10. The supportingspring system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the hollowbodies can be expanded independently of one another in at least onedirection by means of individual pressurization in such a manner thatthe hollow bodies (14) individually periodically move in particular theends of the slats (10), and exert a lifting movement on the ends of theslats (10) perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of theslats (10).
 11. The supporting spring system as claimed in claim 4,characterized in that, in order to change and/or maintain the pressuresin the hollow bodies, for moving the hollow bodies assigned to thelifting elements (14) up and down, the value which is assigned to eachhollow body or lifting element (14) can be actuated by a control device.12. The supporting spring system as claimed in claim 11, characterizedin that the control device is designed in such a manner that it actuateseach hollow body or each lifting element (14) independently of oneanother as required, wherein a plurality of hollow bodies or liftingelements (14) can be actuated simultaneously, specifically bothsynchronously and also asynchronously.
 13. The supporting spring systemas claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the control device isdesigned for continuously periodically changing the pressures inselected hollow bodies or groups of hollow bodies, the control devicesbeing designed for successively and continuously periodically moving anumber of selected slats (10), wherein different slats (10) can be movedafter one another at different times.